Posted on 06/19/2005 11:10:28 AM PDT by Andy from Beaverton
The Indy crowd is now booing every Michelin tired car as they sit in their paddocks as the six Bridgestone cars race on. The crowd of over 100,000 people just got ripped off royally. What a sad day for F1!
Revolting. Just six cars in the race.
Why are the Michelin sitting out the race? Or were they ruled too unsafe to race?
WTF?
What the Michelin teams have decided they aren't racing or what?
Probably stuned.
Seems Michelin brought bad tires, which resulted in at least 3 crashes among the Michelin teams in practice; and with the F1 tire rules (including having the tires being approved long before the race, not having more than 4 sets available, and having to start on the tires you qualified on), they decided that those peon US fans wouldn't get as much money than an injured driver.
The French company wanted changes made to the track at the very last minute. Made the claim late last night. Remember the next time you tire shop.
They had two rear left failure in practice and they don't know why. Ralph had another hard crash in turn 13. They flew out replacement tires, but not in time for qualifying. It is beyond me and the crowd why they didn't replace the LR after lap one. The tasteless fans are now throwing stuff on the track endangering lives.
That's the bottom line.
The team manager of the Michelin tired cars decided not to race due to "safety" considerations.
Speed channel annoucnced that Cohlthard (sp?) was pleading with his team management to let him run.
Where's the story?
The rules were changed regarding changing tires in the race, only one set per. Michelin contends that turn 13 is too fast to go a whole race on one set of tires. They cite safety considerations and I think they have a good point.
Michelin tires are having problems with turn 13 (big right hand just before finish). It's where Schumacher crashed last year and this year's qualifying.
Michelin and teams asked for a chicane to be placed there to slow all the cars down to reduce downforce/tire loading. F1A refused (max Mosely's decision). Michelin wouldn't certify their tires for the race.
Teams won't race on uncertified tires because of driver danger and lawsuits/etc. They pulled out for driver safety concerns.
F1 is probably dead here now.
I hear that they insisted that the US ratify the International Criminal Court and UN Declaration of Human Rights.
The Speed Channel commentators are loudly complaining about fans throwing debris on the track.
Classless behavior, for sure, but I can't blame them for being furious.
This is horrible. Michelin need to be thrown out of F1 for this.
Can imagine how angry the fans must be.
I'm DVD'ing the whole race - it's gonna be a keeper.
French surrender, again.
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